Introduction
Military tech has more of an impact on our everyday lives than we might imagine. Many of the developments initially made for the military then make their way to civilian homes. Here are five such advancements that a civilian could have found around them that once started life with military development.
1. Drones
Drones, such as the Elbit Systems drones currently being used by militaries around the world, are one of the many pieces of tech that have slowly made their way to the mainstream market. While civilian drones are incredibly different in construction from those used by the military, there are similarities. For example, drones can carry cameras which is useful in still photography or B-roll for filming in a civilian environment or reconnaissance and intelligence gathering in a military environment.
2. Digital Cameras
Digital cameras themselves were also initially developed by the military. They were designed to be used on spy satellites to take detailed aerial images of enemy installations. This technology was then advanced even further, so that the first self-contained digital camera was able to appear on the market in the 1970s. These cameras still would have needed to develop a lot to reach the Digital Single Lens Reflex (DSLR) cameras that we are used to today, but it is quite surprising to find out how old the technology actually is.
3. Duct Tape
Duct Tape is a strong and very adhesive tape. Stick two pieces together and you will know just how difficult it is to take them apart! Nowadays, it is used for a variety of different tasks and can be the perfect item for holding something together or repairing virtually anything you can imagine.
It was originally invented by Johnson & Johnson’s Permacel division during WWII for the military. The military specifically needed a waterproof tape that could be used to keep moisture out of ammunition cases. This is why the originally Duct tape came only in army green.
4. Canned Foods
Canned food is a staple of many a diet. Head to any home and swing open the cupboard door, and you will find a range of different canned goods that are either just ingredients or full meals. This all stems back to the 19th century and a reward from Napoleon to anyone who could improve food preservation. The goal? To feed his army successfully if they were unable to find food in enemy territory.
5. EpiPens
EpiPens were initially developed as a response to chemical warfare, with the aim of saving soldiers lives on the battlefield. They were autoinjectors used in the event of exposure to toxic gases or nerve agents, and were simple, safe, and potentially lifesaving. Since then, EpiPens have been developed for civilian use to allow people to inject Epinephrine to those suffering from severe allergy attacks. The injectors are still simple to use – and everyone should know how to operate one as part of first aid.
Summary
These are just five of the many things that have been developed initially by or for the military that are now a major part of civilian life. Advancements like these take years to fully develop. However, when they reach the mass market, there is always the chance that it could change our lives for the better.
